Lorna: Atta boy! Let’s start before those storm clouds in the distance get any closer. Ideas for books come from all sorts of places. Where did the idea for this book come from?

Peter: (Turning to look at threatening sky) I really have no idea. I’m just the sort of guy who goes for a walk and starts daydreaming, and suddenly a scenario will come out of nowhere and I’ll start either wheezing with embarrassing laughter or sobbing into the remains of my sweater, depending on where my thoughts have taken me.

Lorna: Hmmm. That’s kind of vague for a man who writes so clearly about the human condition. Are you dodging my questions so you can end this interview, Peter? Remember, I’m doing this for you.

Peter: Right. Right. It’s just that I’ve never done an interview under these, um, conditions.

Lorna: Piffle, Pal! You’re in the Big Leagues now. You have to be ready to anything. Let’s see how you do with this one. Did you always fancy yourself an author, or did this book writing thing just happen along?

Peter: I always thought of myself as being a bit creative but the book thing really started with the Blog. I started talking about myself, which didn’t take long, and then I resorted to telling stories which I enjoy, and some of the stories suggest they could be expanded. “Living Life Backwards” for instance came from a Blog post, and “The Man Who Missed The Boat” came out of imagining what would happen if you allowed yourself to be swept up in someone else’s drama without any sense of self-preservation.

Lorna: Now that wasn’t so hard. Just ignore the sea gulls and the rumbles of thunder. Focus. And relax your face. Those crinkles on your forehead are going to age you. So, what, in your opinion, makes a book good?

Peter: (Heavy sigh) Wow. You know how to ask them don’t you!

Lorna: I sure do!

Peter: Right. Right. Good books. Hmmm. So many things…Books in which mankind can see himself, but with the insights and conundrums of the everyday illuminated in such a way as to make us ask questions of ourselves and make our lives richer in the process. Of course being entertaining and gripping doesn’t do any harm. Having people you can identify and sympathize with…

Lorna: Probably doing an interview in a boat would make for a good book, huh?

Peter: Oh, yes. I could see all kinds of possibilities with this scenario. Shouldn’t we be getting off this little boat. The sky is getting quite dark.

Lorna: It does look ominous, doesn’t it? Can you swim? I’m not a very good swimmer.

Peter: (looking rather wild-eyed)

Lorna: Nevermind. That’s not part of the interview, I just was curious. We’re almost finished with the interview. What is the primary lesson you want readers to learn from reading about Simon Baxter’s and the Cummings family’s life journeys in this novel?

Peter: Oh good! We’re nearly finished! Not that this hasn’t been, ah, interesting and an exercise in character building, but I really prefer land to sea. What was the question?

Lorna: (Wiping rain drop from nose) The lesson of the book?

Peter: (Looking up and adjusting his coat collar) That there is a wealth of difference between the brochure and the life it advertises. Between our silent thoughts and spoken word.

Lorna: Great lesson to learn. All is not what it seems. Speaking of that, tell us something about yourself that would surprise us.

Peter: I’m a punctuality freak. I would rather be far too early at the station for a train than risk missing it. Silly I know.

Lorna: Not at all silly. I’m the same way. We’re very much alike. I wonder why a publisher hasn’t discovered my blog?

Peter: I really can’t say, Lorna. Personally, I love your blog. Let’s get off this boat and talk some more about your blog.

Lorna: Thanks, Peter, but this interview is about you, not me. We better wrap this up, I just saw a flash of lightning. And you know my track record with lightning strikes.

Peter: (eyes darting furtively) Yes! Let’s finish this up! What else do you want from me?

Lorna: Peter, you look a little unsettled. Calm down. You’re scaring me. I need to focus. Let’s see…What do you have planned next for your readers?

Peter: (speaking very quickly) I’m writing a book called “The Unsocial Memoirs if Stanley Castle” about a guy who becomes less pleasant and moral as he becomes more confident until he is forced to recognize what he has become, and the cost to himself of his unsocial behavior. Are we done?

Lorna: Oh, that sounds delightful! I guess that’s it. Just carefully get up and step out of the boat. I’m just glad we never untied the dinghy from the dock, aren’t you?

Peter: Yes, I’m quite grateful to you for that, and so much more, Lorna!

You can find Peter’s books by clicking on the links below (USA links). They are absolutely wonderful and witty glimpses into the human condition.